The Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta (WIPA) filed a court order against "former leader" Paul Hinman.."Last Thursday, we went to court because Paul Hinman is still representing he is the leader and is fundraising using the party name and logo," Board President Rick Northey told the Western Standard.."There is a further hearing on September 9 to determine whether the injunction should be extended.".In July, the WIPA held its annual general meeting and Hinman wasn't invited to attend. Hinman was elected as the WIPA leader in July 2020. During this time he ran and lost to Brian Jean in the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche byelection..Hinman initially filed a court injunction to stop the board from removing him, according to reports from True North. The courts said the case was, "too complicated to proceed with an instant remedy." Hinman's failed bid to win a seat in the Alberta legislature determined he was in a “conflict of interest” when he transferred campaign funds to pay himself..According to a report submitted on June 20 to WIPA’s board of governors from Provincial Nomination Committee Chair Gurcharan Garcha, "Hinman did not follow Elections Alberta rules, party rules, and nomination guidelines in the race."."We suspended his membership because of violations of the code of conduct that still kind of fall under confidentiality. His response to that was to deny we had any authority to do so," Northey said.."Hinman and his supporters basically seized control of the AGM, illegally seizing the podium by force. They removed everybody from the room who didn't agree with them and then they illegally elected a new board and reinstalled Paul as leader. And we've been going to court ever since to put a stop to it.".Northey said he believes Hinman will comply with the court order..The order states Hinman is restrained from soliciting or collecting from the public or members of the WIPA, or any form of donations through the use of either the WIPA name or logo or by claiming to be the current leader of the WIPA. Hinman is ordered to have no contact with WIPA's Board of Governors on this matter other than through his counsel of record.."It looks like he's taken down his fundraising options from the fake webpage set up that's pretending to be the party web page. The fake web page itself is still up and functioning," Northey said.."We actually have a second court hearing on October 20. That, hopefully, will settle the issue forever. Who gets to use the copyright and if Paul is or is not the leader. However, that is not until the end of October.".Hinman told the Western Standard he understands the matter is before a judge and "we need to wait for the court to determine that."."I'm not supposed to be fundraising and using the logo or the name of the party to solicit funds, which again, makes no sense because I don't solicit funds. We raised funds for the party. Not for me," he said.."There's been a cabal of about seven individuals who don't respect the membership, the AGM and the voting of the membership, and for whatever reason, they want to undermine and ruin our party and elections.".Hinman said "Alberta has a loop in their Election Act" when it comes to old signing authorities of the party not signing off and suggested the only option to solve this issue is through the courts.."And so because Rick and Bill Jones are the signing authorities they refuse to recognize the AGM and the 200 some plus people who voted and they're being very obnoxious and upsetting the membership greatly. But nevertheless, they're continuing on with it," Hinman said.
